16 SOURCE | Spring 2022
Agriculture an Increasing Presence at Largest Cultural Conferences in America
How technology and agriculture are becoming focal points at CES and SXSW
Chris Grogan , Publications and Media Relations Manager cgrogan @ growmark . com
As 2022 ushered in more normalcy for in-person large gatherings , it also highlighted the growing presence of agriculture at such events , and just how critical a role farms and technology will play in feeding a growing world , while also contributing to sustainable solutions .
At South by Southwest , the iconic festival known primarily as SXSW which brings together an eclectic mix of artists , musicians , entrepreneurs , and industry leaders across a wide variety of sectors , the focus was primarily on bringing people back together in Austin , Texas for the first time since 2019 . With several hundred thousand attendees from more than 100 countries , the 10-day festival gives a huge platform to trending topics , and this year , that spotlight shone brightly on new innovations and processes in farming .
Moira McDonald is director of the Environment Program at the Walton Family Foundation , and for the last 11 years has led the foundation ’ s Mississippi River and coastal initiatives . On the first day of SXSW , she hosted a panel focused on addressing climate change and sustainability efforts by farmers , policy experts , and philanthropy .
“ Someday we ’ d like for people to think as much about where their water is coming from as where their food comes from ,” McDonald said to the crowd .
She added that farmers are creative and it ’ s all about using that ingenuity to help in sustainable solutions .
“ Farmers are on the frontlines of the changing climate , whether it is drought or floods . Moreover , 70 percent of our drinking water is used for food production , a comprehensive climate change plan must include the agriculture sector .”
Deborah Atwood is a Senior Fellow at Meridian , based in Washington , D . C . She is also the Executive Director of Meridian ’ s AGree : Transforming Food and Ag Policy Initiative . Through AGree , Atwood has advanced groundbreaking policies on food and agriculture in the United States . She talked about how the Illinois Corn Growers worked with its national leadership to put together an insurance program called PACE , or Post Application Coverage Endorsement . In short , it ’ s a risk management product farmers can buy to protect against adverse weather preventing in-season nitrogen application . In recent years , severe storms have restricted use of the common practice .
“ It ’ s currently being piloted in ten states , and we are hoping it will expand as another tool in the toolbox to help with the risk of doing the right thing in conservation practices ,” added Atwood .
Collin O ’ Mara , CEO of the National Wildlife Federation , said he is regularly called before Congress to testify about water and pollinator topics . He pointed to the fact that some of the most important agriculture lands are also habitats for bees and other important species , and that the crops and soil can also provide huge habitat advantages . O ’ Mara also talked about the importance of government funds to help with private investment money